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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

ASH WEDNESDAY – YEAR I

JOEL 2:12-18 Yahweh says, "Yet even now, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning. Rend your heart, not your garment. Return to Yahweh, your God—gracious and com passionate." Yahweh is slow to anger, full of kindness, and he repents of having punished. Who knows? Probably he will relent once more and spare some part of the harvest from which we may bring sacred offerings to Yahweh, your God. Blow the trumpet in Zion, proclaim a sacred fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the people, sanctify the community, bring together the elders, even the children and infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his bed, and the bride her room. Between the vestibule and the altar, let the priests, Yahweh's ministers, weep and say: Spare your people, Yahweh. Do not humble them or make them an object of scorn among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples: Where is their God? Yahweh has become jealous for his land; he has had pity on his people.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:20-6:2 So we present ourselves as ambassadors in the name of Christ, as if God himself makes an appeal to you through us. Let God reconcile you; this we ask you in the name of Christ. He had no sin, but God made him bear our sin, so that in him we might share the holiness of God. Being God's helpers we beg you: let it not be in vain that you received this grace of God. Scripture says: At the favorable time I listened to you, on the day of salvation I helped you. This is the favorable time, this is the day of salvation.

MATTHEW 6:1-6, 16-18 Be careful not to make a show of your righteousness before people. If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven. When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be seen in the synagogues and in the streets, in order to be praised by the people. I assure you, they have been already paid in full. If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you. When you pray, do not be like those who want to be seen. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is kept secret will reward you. When you fast, do not put on a miserable face as do the hypocrites. They put on a gloomy face, so that people can see they are fasting. I tell you this: they have been paid in full already. When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, because you are not fasting for appearances or for people, but for your Father who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.

REFLECTION FASTING: If we lament over the sacrifice of food it means we give more importance in pleasing our belly than in healing our soul. The most bitter of medicine heals a strong ailment, so sin that abides in us can be killed by fasting. Fasting makes the flesh docile in order to love God.

PRAYER is an intimate relationship with God. Let us set aside thoughts of offenses done to us, just as we wish God not to remember our wicked actions against our neighbors. Let us be aware of our offenses and ask forgiveness.

ALMSGIVING: Let us honor Christ while there is still time. We can visit and care for him. He waits to be fed, to be clothed. We can be charitable because Christ loves us generously. We can extend our helping hand to help the poor. That hand can be yours or mine.

PRAYER REQUESTS We pray … … for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn. … for the speedy recovery and healing of - Chief Samrose Anyaugo - Mon Torres - Fleur Torres … for the personal intentions of - Pauline - Dr Ugo Anyaugo, Oge Anyaugo, Barr (Mrs) Adaugo Barbara Okoronkwo, Engr. Ifeanyi Matt Anyaugo, Chuba Anyaugo and Ezinne Cordelia Anyaugo … for the eternal repose of the souls of - Jovita Sy - A. Ojeda Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace. … for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary. - Birthday: Jasper Tiu - In Memoriam (+): Tan Ai Le Tong … for families who are in need of healing … for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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